TEACHERSMichael Pilch

Michelle CowanMelissa Guevara

Roni AlfieriBenita Sanders

Marlena FlesnerNaresha Perry

I am from Jacksonville, Florida and have been a teacher for 10 years. I majored in Psychology and I love teaching social studies! I am a reptile enthusiast and a musician! I have a BA in Psychology and a Masters in Special Education.

Michael Pilch

12th year teaching Teaching HS Geography this year Blessed with a precious baby girl

and another coming in January I love spending time at the lakeMy sister teaches at GCAMarried to a bass player

Melissa and Jill

Lake Oconee

Marlon Guevara

Roni Alfieri

My daughters-Drew and Hayley

My husband Tony and I on our 20th Anniversary in 2013

• This is my second year at GCA.• This is my 10th year teaching. Prior to teaching I worked in childcare.• I have lived in GA, FL, MD, and CA.• My oldest daughter will graduate from college at the end of this

school year. She is at LIPA in Liverpool UK.• My younger daughter will graduate high school at the end of this

school year. She has not picked a college and loves to play drums.• I have 2 dogs- a cocker spaniel who barks at everything and a mutt

(mostly Australian Sheppard) and he is a much more relaxed dog.

• I really do love teaching geography and love it here at GCA!

Benita Sanders I teach Geography

I live in Athens and love UGA

3 babies

2 mini schnauzers

I love reading fantasy fiction

SOCIAL STUDIES

ELECTIVES: WHERE

AWESOME AND TURNT COME TOGETHER

• Psychology, Current Issues, Examining the Teaching Profession, Sociology

Teachers: Colleen Surette, Heather Demers-Keller,Kelli Guest, Russell Long

RUSSELL LONGFamily: Sarah (wife), Steven, Jacob, Jayden, RavenHobbies: 3Rs (Reading, Running, Relaxing), All things ATL sports (Hawks, Falcons, Braves)

Colleen SuretteESOL & Psychology

I live near the mountains in GA. Every year we go applepicking in the Fall.

My cat, Bart

This will be my 11th year teaching!

My Family!

Kelli GuestHS Economics and Government teacher

• Strong passion for History and Economics

• 4th of year teaching

• 2nd Year at GCA

• Did Archaeology for 5 years prior to teaching

• Visited England, Italy, Greece, New Zealand, Australia, and Japan

• University of Georgia Graduate

American Government and Civics

This course will study basic civic concepts and the foundations

and structure of our United States Government. Some topics

that will be studied include:

Theories of government formation

Government philosophers

The Articles of Confederation

The Constitution

Three branches of government

State and local government

Civic responsibility and

participation

Economics

What will we cover?

- Life choices and how they are affected by

resources

- How to create a budget and how insurance

works

- How the government and changes in the

country’s economy impacts your wallet

- Why we should care what is happening in

other countries

Government/Economics Teachers

- Ms. Kelli Guest- Ms. Mary O’Neal- Ms. Amanda Priewe- Ms. Jacilyn Ledford- Ms. Elizabeth Fuqua

+ About Me

oThis is my fifth year teaching and my second at GCA as an online teacher so I can still learn a lot too!

oI am happily married to Shane and have a boy, Kellen, who is three and a baby girl, Kinsley, who is one.

o I am from Brantley County.

o I am very active in my church and I love to sing Sacred Harp, decorate cakes, and be outside.

o I am a hard worker and believe that hard work can get you anywhere!

Kelli GuestHS Economics and Government teacher

• Strong passion for History and Economics

• 4th of year teaching

• 2nd Year at GCA

• Did Archaeology for 5 years prior to teaching

• Visited England, Italy, Greece, New Zealand, Australia, and Japan

• University of Georgia Graduate

Amanda Priewe*11th year teaching

*2nd year at GCA *Married to Josh for 6 years

*2 kiddos: Weston (4) & Abby (2)

*Love to read, cook, & decorate

*Native of Georgia

*HUGE fan of 80s music

Elizabeth FuquaSpecial Education Instructional Teacher

• This is my eighth year teaching, but first year at GCA.• I’m a graduate of Emory University in Atlanta—Go Eagles!

• I have a wonderful husband and the spunkiest two year old daughter!• I love cooking, reading, ballet, and spending time with friends and family.

• I can’t wait for a great year with you!

At the beach with my husband

My wonderful family My crazy daughter Allison Seeing Misty Copeland perform in

NYC

US HistoryCourse Overview• This course is a full-year survey that provides students with a comprehensive view of American history from the

first migrations of European people to North America to recent events. You will be learning about all the people and events that helped to define the United States. Readings are drawn from K12’s The American Odyssey: A History of the United States. Online lessons help students organize their study, explore topics in depth, review in preparation for assessments, and practice skills of historical thinking and analysis. Activities could include analyzing primary sources and maps, creating time lines, completing projects and written assignments, and conducting independent research. In addition to assignments within the course, you will complete Interim Assessments in USA Test Prep and a state standardized End of Course test in May.

A Little About the Course• Please visit the following link for Scope & Sequence documents for US History: http://www.k12.com/courses/high-

school-courses/us-history-comprehensive-hst303.scope-sequence.html.

US History Teachers

• Ms. Praseedha Farrell

• Ms. Jill Wright

• Ms. Kelly Blackmon

• Ms. Stephanie Pain

• Ms. Elizabeth Fuqua

• Ms. Cassie Gatch

Praseedha FarrellTeacher since 2009wife since 2012mom since 2014 (and again in 2015)

THIS WILL BE MY 7TH YEAR TEACHING, MY 3RD YEAR TEACHING ONLINE AND MY FIRST YEAR TEACHING AT GCA!!!

Jill Wright•HS World History Teacher•Three years of teaching experience in MS•Born and raised in Marietta, GA•Attended UGA for undergrad and grad school (I didn’t want to leave!!)

Mrs. Blackmon B.S . In History Education &

Master of Education from

Lee University• I live in Augusta,

GA

• I teach US History

& US History

honors

• Love being

outdoors & often

teach class in my

backyard

• Love to create,

learn, & teach

• Fav. hobby:

researching the

history of every city

I visit in the United

States!

kblackmon@gacyber.org404-334-4790 ext. 2076

{• This is my 10th Year at GCA

• U.S. & AP U.S. History Teacher

• I live in Dallas and have 3

boys in college (23, 21, 18)

• I enjoy traveling, running, riding

my horse, dirt-bike riding, and

spending time with my family

Stephanie Pain

My new puppy, EDDIE

Elizabeth FuquaSpecial Education Instructional Teacher

• This is my eighth year teaching, but first year at GCA.• I’m a graduate of Emory University in Atlanta—Go Eagles!

• I have a wonderful husband and the spunkiest two year old daughter!• I love cooking, reading, ballet, and spending time with friends and family.

• I can’t wait for a great year with you!

At the beach with my husband

My wonderful family My crazy daughter Allison Seeing Misty Copeland perform in

NYC

• US History Teacher

• Bachelor’s degree in History Education from University of West Georgia

• 5th year teaching at Georgia Cyber Academy, but 7th year teaching.

• I’ve lived in metro Atlanta for over 20 years.

• I am a huge college football fan – GO DAWGS!!

Welcome to World History!Where history comes alive!

History is a journey and an adventure filled with stories about people, places and events - what

actually happened, why it happened, and how the stories relate to the events of the past; history is

the story of how the world has changed.In this comprehensive survey of world history

from prehistoric to modern times, students focus in depth on the developments and events that have shaped civilization across time. Lessons

address developments in religion, philosophy, the arts, science and technology, and political history.

The course also introduces geography concepts and skills within the context of the historical

narrative. Students are challenged to consider topics in depth as they analyze primary sources and maps, create timelines, and complete other

projects— practicing historical thinking and writing skills as they explore the broad themes

and big ideas of human history.

World History Teachers

• Ms. Rebecca Gajda• Ms. Maggie McDonald

• Ms. Jessica Beer• Mr. Michael Stephens• Mr. Halton Thomson• Ms. Lessie Solomon• Ms. Susan Sheffield• Mr. Lance Dickens• Ms. Marlena Flesner• Ms. Naresha Perry

Rebecca GajdaW O R L D H I S T O RY & A P W O R L D H I S T O RY

This is my family.

Dan

Aiden, 8

Caleb, 5

Owen, 2 (almost)

• Live in Barrow County

• Went to Georgia State

• Taught HS gov’t, HS Geography, 6th

grade SS, and 8th grade SS across all

levels, including gifted

• Enjoy reading, especially historical

fiction (the Outlander Series is by

far my favorite!)

• Star Trek/Star Wars nerd

• Milestones testing caused me to

become addicted to Sudoku

I LOVE Social Studies—especially history. It’s the

story of US--who we are, why we do what we do, and

how we all affect one another. Studying history can

allow us to see the world around us in new ways,

and better understand the world we live in

This is my 5th year at GCA, and I will be teaching Honors World History. I have a Bachelor’s Degree in History from UGA, and a

Master’s in Secondary Education Social Sciences from Augusta State University. I have taught 7th grade World Geography, Preschool

and Kindergarten.

I live in Waynesboro, Georgia with my husband Thomas and our children, Caitlin and Keegan. I like to read and watch movies.

All About Mrs. McDonald

JESSICA BEER

I

I am entering my 4th year teaching.

I will be teaching HS World History at GCA!

I have a B.S. in History Education from Kennesaw State University!

I have been married to my awesome husband Logan for three years.

I am a proud new mommy to our three month old daughter, Blakely

Rae.

I love God, writing, reading, running, traveling, playing tennis, a good caption, and being surrounded by those I love!

“Students do not care what you know until they know

how much you care!”

*

*Married in July 2013

*Loves Georgia

Southern and America

*3rd year with GCA

*From Statesboro, but

living in St. Marys now

*Loves to Travel

Mr. Halton Thomson (Mr. T)

I married my

beautiful and

wonderful wife

Sarah in August of

2012

I enjoy sports

and watching

movies.

Eating rules.

Back in the day, people thought I was a girl

My mom,

sister, and

brother.

I celebrate

Christmas

year round

I’m not that

good, but it

is fun!

I think life is

better with

a beard.

• United States Air Force – Retired• University of the Incarnate Word,

San Antonio TX, Graduate • Texas State University, San

Marcos TX, Graduate• Taught 3 years in San Antonio• Second year at GCA• I Love:

• Family, Friends, People• Traveling (Road Trips)• Audio Books• Playing Board Games

M

y

F

o

l

k

s

Permanent Thought of the Day:The best is coming …

Ida, Nate, Jonathan Jordan & Dallas

Lessie Solomon

SUSAN SHEFFIELD

World History

GCA

M. Ed. Converse College

Randy Lance DickensI have a BA in History/Education from the University of North Georgia.This is my second year as a teacher and my first here at GCA.

My hobbies include watching football, playing video games, professional wrestling, anime, and science fiction.

I am married to my wonderful wife of 3 years Kayla and have twins Sabin and Sterling who are almost 3.

I have been enlisted in the GA Army National Guard for over six years where I am a Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Specialist.